Microsoft's 3D image browser makes its first commercial appearance

It was almost a year ago that Microsoft introduced a revolutionary 3D image browsing method called "PhotoSynth," which attracted a lot of attention in the industry. However, it is only today that this technology has finally begun to be put into practical use, and that too at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

PhotoSynth was jointly developed by Microsoft and scientists from the Graphics and Imaging Laboratory (GRAIL) at the University of Washington, and is also known as "Photo Tourism." Similar to hyperlinks that connect internet documents, PhotoSynth can unify hundreds or even thousands of photos on related themes, allowing users to browse them in a three-dimensional way. For example, if you have a bunch of photos of a certain building, using PhotoSynth, you can examine its entirety or details from various angles.

On the Live Labs laboratory website of Microsoft, PhotoSynth has always been available for download and experience, supporting not only its own IE but also Mozilla Firefox. However, people have always doubted how much practical value it really has. Although BBC's use of PhotoSynth is just a "time-limited technical experiment," it is the first time that Microsoft has had the opportunity to showcase the true capabilities and potential of this technology to the world.

The BBC will incorporate PhotoSynth into its TV series "How We Built Britain," creating an interactive experience program based on relevant broadcasts. It also allows viewers to browse photos according to their interests, appreciating famous scenic spots such as Ely Cathedral, Burleigh Castle, Royal Crescent, Bath, the Scottish Parliament Building, and Blackpool Tower. Users need only drag the mouse to explore inside buildings, zoom in to check the details of a small decoration, or enjoy panoramic views of 360 degrees overall.

MS PhotoSynth: http://labs.live.com/PhotoSynth/bbc

BBC "How We Built Britain": http://www.bbc.co.uk/britain/